One major problem was that the coin mechanism would not accept newer loonies and toonies. A replacement mechanism would be $200 or more. A bit pricy for a starving hackerspace, so we are doing what all good hackers do, overengineer a solution with parts at hand. In this case, utilize the door RFID tags the members have anyways and use them to debit from a pre paid pop account.

One major problem was that the coin mechanism would not accept newer loonies and toonies. A replacement mechanism would be $200 or more. A bit pricy for a starving hackerspace, so we are doing what all good hackers do, overengineer a solution with parts at hand. In this case, utilize the door RFID tags the members have anyways and use them to debit from a pre paid pop account.

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+

== Goal ==

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With the participation and collaboration of the ents membership, bring the donated Pop machine back into service.

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To provide a project for multiple members to collaborate together to create a near 0 administration pop machine/pop account tracking system.

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To create a low hassle method of buying caffeine.

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To promote more collaborative team building projects within the membership that cross disciplines and foster education and participation.

== Help Wanted ==

== Help Wanted ==

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We are looking for people with an interest in helping out with the following phases of the project. We will offer assistance and training for any piece involved.

We are looking for people with an interest in helping out with the following phases of the project. We will offer assistance and training for any piece involved.

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Display Design - ART - Replace the coke sign with a plexiglass version, needs to be able to show a screen.

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*Display Design - ART - Replace the coke sign with a plexiglass version, needs to be able to show a screen.

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Screen Saver - Screen saver that would display fake ad's

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*Screen Saver - Screen saver that would display fake ad's

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Screen mount - Mount a monitor to the outer door

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*Screen mount - Mount a monitor to the outer door

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Outer Shell Design - self explanatory

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*Outer Shell Design - self explanatory

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PHP Web Interface - only needs to interface with Pay Pal and save transaction records in the database

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*PHP Web Interface - only needs to interface with Pay Pal and save transaction records in the database

== Mechanics ==

== Mechanics ==

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The machine is a Vendo V384. [http://soda-machines.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=554&Itemid=14 Soda-Machines.com]

The machine is a Vendo V384. [http://soda-machines.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=554&Itemid=14 Soda-Machines.com]

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Oricanus did much of the work to figure out the mechanics of the machine and how to bypass the coin mech to allow us to dispense product. It's actually very easy. On the connector to the coin mech, short pins 1-7 together (all the time) and then momentarily contact pins 1-3 and then make your selection.

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Orcinus did much of the work to figure out the mechanics of the machine and how to bypass the coin mech to allow us to dispense product. It's actually very easy. On the connector to the coin mech, short pins 1-7 together (all the time) and then momentarily contact pins 1-3 and then make your selection.

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The original coke sign is a plexiglass insert, easily replaced. Behind it is a florecent ballast with a 120v supply line running to it.

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The original coke sign is a plexiglass insert, easily replaced. Behind it <strike>is</strike> was a florecent ballast with a 120v supply line running to it, now that line is powering the Pi and all the rest.

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Photo of the internal electromechanical schematic:

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As of 12/13/13:

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[[Media:RFIDpop_mech_schematic.jpg]]

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* The mechanical components have been de-greased and lubricated.

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* Column #2 was fully rebuilt after it was found jammed.

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* All column dispensing mechanisms are working in an empty state (see to-do list).

With the participation and collaboration of the ents membership, bring the donated Pop machine back into service.

+

== Photo's: ==

−

To provide a project for multiple members to collaborate together to create a near 0 administration pop machine/pop account tracking system.

+

Photo of the internal electromechanical schematic:

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[[Media:RFIDpop_mech_schematic.jpg]]

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To create a low hassle method of buying caffeine.

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Photo of the Prototype system in it's first live test on the machine (it worked!)

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[[Media:Pop-Pi_first_test.jpg]]

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To promote more collaborative team building projects within the membership that cross disciplines and foster education and participation.

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Photo of the replacement Plexiglass sign in it's test fit (note the blue protective plastic is still in place)

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[[Media:Pop-Pi_Plex_Test_fit.jpg]]

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Photo of Orcinus playing around

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[[Media:Pop-Pi_Orc_face.jpg]]

== Feature Roadmap ==

== Feature Roadmap ==

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</tr>

</tr>

<tr>

<tr>

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<td></td><td>9</td><td>12</td><td>To S on Relay</td>

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<td></td><td>9</td><td>10</td><td>To A1 on level shifter pass through to TX on RFID reader</td>

</tr>

</tr>

<tr>

<tr>

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<td></td><td>11</td><td>14</td><td></td>

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<td></td><td>11</td><td>12</td><td>To A2 on level shifter pass through to Enable on RFID reader</td>

</tr>

</tr>

<tr>

<tr>

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<td></td><td>13</td><td>14</td><td></td>

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<td></td><td>13</td><td>14</td><td>To S on Relay</td>

</tr>

</tr>

<tr>

<tr>

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Line 279:

</tr>

</tr>

</table>

</table>

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== Database ==

== Database ==

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* [[File:popPi.zip]] popPi Fritzing schematic

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On scan, Pi checks database for balance. If sufficient balance, deduct $1 and dispense product. If insufficent balance, then display an unhappy message . Once product is dispensed display the username and balance remaining for 15 seconds. When 'idle' the screen will goto a slide show of comical and ficticious beverages (Duff, Slurm, Nukacola, etc)

On scan, Pi checks database for balance. If sufficient balance, deduct $1 and dispense product. If insufficent balance, then display an unhappy message . Once product is dispensed display the username and balance remaining for 15 seconds. When 'idle' the screen will goto a slide show of comical and ficticious beverages (Duff, Slurm, Nukacola, etc)

Curent Status: In prototype: Replacement plexiglass for front obtained, monitor stripped to bare minimum and test fit. 3d printed mount made for all computer hardware, first test on the actual pop machine with prototype Pi setup was a success! Now running with test code for dispensing.

There is lots of room to mount everything behind plexiglass on the outer door or against the inner door. Approximatly 4" depth is available

There is lots of room to mount everything behind plexiglass on the outer door or against the inner door. Approximatly 4" depth is available

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Need to also write up how to properly load product or else bad things happen

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<strike> Need to also write up how to properly load product or else bad things happen </strike> The mechanics need to be advanced via a couple dispense attempts while empty until the 'bar' is in it's high spot. Cans are started loading on top of this bar, and not the dispensing 'hopper'area below. Loading 8-10 cans, advancing two more cycles of dispensing will load the 'hopper' and it will be ready to go. The machine will trigger 'empty' while there are still 6-8 cans in it. This prevents having to go through this process again and leaves things 'primed' so one just has to stack more on top. Do not empty the column completely unless absolutely nessecary.

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[http://www.vendoco.com/Documents/Super%20Stack%20Service_WHOLE.pdf The service manual] on page 11 shows how to properly load up cans as described above, complete with pictures

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A video of the loading procedure will be made and uploaded to ensure it is done properly in case others need to do so.

A large number of vending machines use the same interface for the 'credit' function. This project can be easily adapted to other models of vending machines. Could be useful for other hackerspaces.

A large number of vending machines use the same interface for the 'credit' function. This project can be easily adapted to other models of vending machines. Could be useful for other hackerspaces.

RFID Enabled Pop Machine AKA Project "Pop-pi"

History

After the kind donation of a 70'sish Coca-Cola Vending machine, we started tearing into it to get it working. While there were a few issues off the start, it's in good mechanical order and tests showed it's power consumption was >50% less than the existing smaller pop machine in the space.

One major problem was that the coin mechanism would not accept newer loonies and toonies. A replacement mechanism would be $200 or more. A bit pricy for a starving hackerspace, so we are doing what all good hackers do, overengineer a solution with parts at hand. In this case, utilize the door RFID tags the members have anyways and use them to debit from a pre paid pop account.

Goal

With the participation and collaboration of the ents membership, bring the donated Pop machine back into service.

To provide a project for multiple members to collaborate together to create a near 0 administration pop machine/pop account tracking system.

To create a low hassle method of buying caffeine.

To promote more collaborative team building projects within the membership that cross disciplines and foster education and participation.

Help Wanted

Want to help out? Interested in learning something new and expanding your skill set? Have a cool idea you want to include into the project?

Join the Pop-PI project!
Do you know PHP, would you like to learn PHP?

We are looking for people with an interest in helping out with the following phases of the project. We will offer assistance and training for any piece involved.

Display Design - ART - Replace the coke sign with a plexiglass version, needs to be able to show a screen.

Screen Saver - Screen saver that would display fake ad's

Screen mount - Mount a monitor to the outer door

Outer Shell Design - self explanatory

PHP Web Interface - only needs to interface with Pay Pal and save transaction records in the database

Mechanics

Orcinus did much of the work to figure out the mechanics of the machine and how to bypass the coin mech to allow us to dispense product. It's actually very easy. On the connector to the coin mech, short pins 1-7 together (all the time) and then momentarily contact pins 1-3 and then make your selection.

The original coke sign is a plexiglass insert, easily replaced. Behind it is was a florecent ballast with a 120v supply line running to it, now that line is powering the Pi and all the rest.

As of 12/13/13:

The mechanical components have been de-greased and lubricated.

Column #2 was fully rebuilt after it was found jammed.

All column dispensing mechanisms are working in an empty state (see to-do list).

5 columns are >50% loaded and dispensing.

Proper loading configuration was figured out and instructions afixed inside

Plastic exit chute was found to be stuck shut from a long ago exploded can. Removed and washed

Monitor has been mounted, though mounting scheme may change in the future

Pi and other components installed and a first run of RFID enabled dispensing is available

Fritzing Schematic

V1

Version 1 is to basically setup the nessecary hardware to replace the coin mech and to use the RFID tags to debit from an account with little or no modification to the existing electro mechanical dispensing system. Various options were considered but parts on hand and flexibility came together in the following:

Current goals: Users provide cash or paypal to director who adds to account for thier tag via web interface or 'credit' tags on the pi.

On scan, Pi checks database for balance. If sufficient balance, deduct $1 and dispense product. If insufficent balance, then display an unhappy message . Once product is dispensed display the username and balance remaining for 15 seconds. When 'idle' the screen will goto a slide show of comical and ficticious beverages (Duff, Slurm, Nukacola, etc)

Curent Status: In prototype: Replacement plexiglass for front obtained, monitor stripped to bare minimum and test fit. 3d printed mount made for all computer hardware, first test on the actual pop machine with prototype Pi setup was a success! Now running with test code for dispensing.

Notes

Power is no problem. The existing light ballast for the original backlight is 120v line that is perfectly placed to power everything.

There is lots of room to mount everything behind plexiglass on the outer door or against the inner door. Approximatly 4" depth is available

Need to also write up how to properly load product or else bad things happen The mechanics need to be advanced via a couple dispense attempts while empty until the 'bar' is in it's high spot. Cans are started loading on top of this bar, and not the dispensing 'hopper'area below. Loading 8-10 cans, advancing two more cycles of dispensing will load the 'hopper' and it will be ready to go. The machine will trigger 'empty' while there are still 6-8 cans in it. This prevents having to go through this process again and leaves things 'primed' so one just has to stack more on top. Do not empty the column completely unless absolutely nessecary.

The service manual on page 11 shows how to properly load up cans as described above, complete with pictures

A video of the loading procedure will be made and uploaded to ensure it is done properly in case others need to do so.

A large number of vending machines use the same interface for the 'credit' function. This project can be easily adapted to other models of vending machines. Could be useful for other hackerspaces.